menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Freeview

 

 

Click to see updates

Local digital TV or a 7th multiplex coming soon?

There could be local TV on Freeview from 2012 or 2013.

There could be local TV on Freeview from 2012 or 2013.
published on UK Free TV

Digital switchover will mean the wholesale reorganization of the UK terrestrial broadcast frequencies. The 'cleared spectrum' and 'programme making and special events' are dealt with elsewhere in this section. The third aspect is what Ofcom call 'interleaved spectrum' which has only one real potential use: local digital television.

Ofcom have identified 81 transmitters that have, they calculate, at least one frequency that cannot be used for one of the existing six Freeview transmission multiplexes, but can be used for a low-power service.

These sites comprise most of the current Freeview transmitters except Aberdare, Blaenplwyf, Chatton, Chesterfield, Hastings, Idle, Pontypool and Torosay; plus these transmitters:


Some transmitters will have two frequencies:

Angus, Beacon Hill, Belmont, Bilsdale, Black Hill, Bluebell Hill, Bressay, Brierley Hill, Bristol Kings Weston, Bromsgrove, Brougher Mountain, Caldbeck, Caradon Hill, Carmel, Craigkelly, Crystal Palace, Darvel, Divis, Dover, Durris, Eitshal, Emley Moor, Fenham, Fenton, Guildford, Hannington, Heathfield, Hemel Hempstead, Huntshaw Cross, Ilchester Crescent, Keelylang Hill, Keighley, Kilvey Hill, Knock More, Lancaster, Lark Stoke, Limavady, Llanddona, Malvern, Mendip, Midhurst, Moel-Y-Parc, Nottingham, Olivers Mount, Oxford, Pendle Forest, Plympton, Pontop Pike, Presely, Redruth, Reigate, Ridge Hill, Rosemarkie, Rosneath, Rowridge, Rumster Forest, Saddleworth, Salisbury, Sandy Heath, Selkirk, Sheffield, Stockland Hill, Storeton, Sudbury, Sutton Coldfield, Tacolneston, The Wrekin, Tunbridge Wells, Waltham, Wenvoe, Whitehawk Hill, Winter Hill.

In addition the Winter Hill transmitter has a third frequency.

Because these frequencies form part of the national Freeview plan, the use at these transmitter will have to be at low power and also restricted in their coverage. In effect, they will cover an area that will be much less than the full-power Freeview transmissions, even less than the pre-switchover multiplex 2 and A coverage.

Ofcom may offer these 'lots' of frequencies as single packages, or may package the sale of them into regional or national groups. However, Ofcom is considering packaging one of the frequencies from the above list of 25 transmitters into a single UK-wide nation 'large lot'. This could mean in effect a seventh national Freeview multiplex, albeit with restricted coverage.

As the frequencies will only be available for use once switchover has happened on the transmitter, the services will start at or after each region's switchover. In addition, not all these frequencies are 'in group', so only households that have upgraded to a wideband aerial will receive them. Bidders will win a licence to transmit from the regional switchover date until 2026. The reserve price for the licence will be 25,000 per lot.

Whilst it is technically possible that these frequencies could be used for DVB-H, WiMax or 3G, it seems most likely that the will be used for local television or standard DTT (either SD or HD).



This Ofcom map shows the areas that are covered. The green areas are those that can be used for local TV (using QSPK transmission mode), the yellow areas those possible for national coverage (using 64QAM mode). Ofcom calculates the latter is 51% of England, 79% of Scotland, 52% of Wales and 32% of Northern Ireland.

Ofcom says that "Local TV may be operated on a wholly commercial basis, as a not-for-profit community model, or as a combination of both. Examples of existing terrestrial local TV services include Channel M in Manchester (backed by Guardian Media Group), MATV in Leicester (a commercial operation targeting the citys South Asian community) and NvTv in Belfast (a not for profit community model funded by Northern Irish arts, education and training bodies)."

Help with TV/radio stations?
BBC Three Linear channel re-opens1
Will car radios have to be replaced?2
Will UKTV History and FTN eventually be available on fSfS or Freesat? They are 3
Could u please explain why there are no subtitles on most of your films terresti4
Can I pay as you go for British Europsort on my digital tv without subscribing?5
In this section
Is Freeview ready for the first local television service tomorrow? 1
Freeview local TV branding announced - Local TV or |local|2
Where can you see where Freeview local stations will be picked up? UK Free TV3
Local TV on Freeview "radiation patterns" update4
Want more local TV details? See UK Free TV5
Want to run a phase two local TV station? You can apply now6

Comments

Your comment please
Please post a question, answer or commentUK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.